Amaral, a former Brazilian midfielder who trained at Palmeiras and played 29 official matches for Benfica, in 1997 and 1998, paid tribute to Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira, who had just led Sao Paulo to the title in Brazil.

“With respect to others, Abel is without a doubt one of the best coaches that have passed through Palmeiras. They didn’t believe him when he arrived at the club and won the Libertadores… It was water and it turned into wine. Now, everyone is talking about Abel even for the Brazilian national team,” he admitted to UOL Sports.

In addition to his qualities as a coach, Amaral also highlighted the personality of the Portuguese coach and was glad that he remembered his time in Portuguese football:

“I did not know him, but we had the opportunity to meet him at the opening of the Palmeiras Cup Hall. “I was a kid when I played with Benfica,” he told me. I was happy with the affection he showed me. He told me to go to the club more than once and we could talk.”

Amaral also said that Abel Ferreira’s example should “set an example for many coaches”: “He is courteous, knows how to speak Portuguese correctly. If Palmeiras loses Abel, then the players lose. He was the one who, like Scarpa himself, was able to save many players, reinvent Mike and release Indrik at the right time.”